Perikasettri: “Parrikasettri refers to those who carried on trade by loading gunny sacks on bullocks and traveling to distant regions.” — Āndhra Śabdaratnākaram (p.1039).
Perikātam: “Perikātam means those who transported grain on bullocks, horses, etc.” — Āndhra Śabdaratnākaram (p.516).
Parrikātamu:
- “Perrikātam (Perrika-Ātam) means the trade carried out by transporting grains and other goods on bullocks and horses.” — Sūryarāyāndhra Nirghaṇṭuvu (1st Edition, p.578).
In the same dictionary, it is stated: “Karkātam rāṅgane perikātamu paḍipovunu” — meaning, when there was excessive rainfall, the trade of the Perikas would come to a halt. Later, in the Telugu region, the saying became common in daily life: “With the coming of Karkātam (monsoon month), Perikātam stops!”
- “Perrikātam means carrying grains, etc., on bullocks, horses, buffaloes, etc.” — Āndhradīpikā (p.520).
Perikātam:
- “Perikātam means carrying grains and other goods on bullocks and similar animals.” — Āndhra Vāchaspatyam (p.267) and Śabdārtha Chandrikā (p.395).
- “Perikātam means transporting grain on bullocks.” — Dravidian Etymological Dictionary (p.294).
Perrikasetti: In Padabandha Pārijātamu, it is stated: “Parrikasetti means merchant! Those who carried on trade by loading gunny sacks on bullocks and horses.” (Padabandha Pārijātamu – 2nd Edition, p.445).
Perikasetti: “Perikasetti means those who conducted trade by transporting goods on bullocks and other animals.” — Brown’s Telugu–English Dictionary (p.690).
Etymological consideration:
Perikātam: This word, classified as a Vaikṛta Padaviśeṣaṇa (a derivative/modified form), is explained as Perik + Āṭa in the treatise Āndhra Śabdaratnākar (2nd Edition, p.1089).
Perrikātam: The word means “Peri + Āṭa” — as explained in Sūryarāyāndhra Nirghaṇṭu (p.578).
Perrikasetti: This word too is considered a Vaikṛta Padaviśeṣaṇa (a derivative/modified form). Its etymology is explained as “Perikātamu cēyu Śetti” — that is, merchants who carried out trade through Perikas (gunny sacks). This meaning is given in Āndhra Śabdaratnākar (p.1089).
The word Perika in common usage: In everyday speech, the word Perika is found in compound forms such as Pīchū Perika, Perika, Balija, Perika Rājulu, Rāchā Perika, etc.
Pīchū Perika: Refers to those who wove gunny sacks (Perikas), thus meaning Peraki. This explanation is given in Castes and Tribes of Southern India (Vol. 6, p.194). The same source also mentions that such Perakis were very few in number.
Perika Balija: Refers to a class engaged exclusively in trade using gunny sacks (Perikas). It is noted in the above-mentioned work (Castes and Tribes) that these people traded in salt. The Perika Balijas used to bring salt in gunny sacks from the seashore and carry out trade. These Perika Balijas were in fact the Balija Settlus. In other words, Perika Balija and Balija Settlu were one and the same. This is recorded in the Census Report of 1891.
“Those who traded using gunny sacks (Perikas) and came to be identified by that occupation, showing close association with the Balija caste.” — This meaning is noted in Vijnānasarvasvamu Kośa (Part I, p.448).
That the Perika Balijas of the Balija community were engaged in trade and commerce has also been pointed out by Sērsing in his poem Madrās Presiḍensī Jātulu-Kulālu.
The word Balija itself means “merchant.” In Prakrit it appears as Balija, Banīya, and in Sanskrit as Vaṇija (trader, commerce). And those who engaged in the trade of particular goods were known accordingly. Thus, those who conducted trade through gunny sacks (Perikas) came to be called Perika Balijas.
Even today, traders under the name Perika Balija are found in certain districts of Andhra Pradesh. Likewise, those known as Setti Balija are also identified as Perika Balija in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
Perika Rājulu: Among the Perikis, some claimed to be Sūryavaṃśi (Solar dynasty) kings, some as Cāndravaṃśi (Lunar dynasty) kings, some as Kṣatriyas, some as Puragiri Kṣatriyas, and some declared themselves as Perika Rājulu (Periki kings). In this connection, they refer to the work Malhāra Vijayam. In the text Perika Kula Caritra also, the Perikis are addressed as kings. Since the Perikis were Kṣatriyas, it is said that they escaped the wrath of Paraśurāma and, by Śiva’s command, renounced their Kṣatriyahood for a time and took up the vocation of Perikivr̥tti (trading), and hence came to be called Periki Rājas.
Puragiri Kṣatriya: Those who left towns and lived in the hills (forests) were known as Puragiri Kṣatriyas. This is mentioned in census reports. On this basis, references are also found in the Anantarāman Committee Report and in other government gazettes. Hence, the Periki caste came to be referred to among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) as Perika Balija and Puragiri Kṣatriya. In Candikā Nāṭakam, composed by Muttuneṇi Chenna Keśavalu, Girirāju is portrayed as a Puragiri king, Dhīravallabha as a minister, and other military chiefs as Vatan̄dārs. Thus, there is reason to call them Puragiri Kṣatriyas, because the conduct and practices of the characters in this play clearly reflect the ways of the Kṣatriyas.
Rāchā Perika: Those in the Periki community who were economically prosperous were referred to as Rāchā Perikas. Even in more recent times, references to this name appear in court cases and in records of the government revenue department. Śrī Peṇḍyāla Gurumūrti Nāyudu states that although the Perika community does not have branches and sub-branches, in some regions such distinctions appear. For example, in Visakhapatnam, the Goḍewāru family was economically wealthy, educationally advanced, and held titles such as Raja, Mahārāja, K.C.S.I., etc. This family kept itself aloof from its own community. Such an account is given in Perika Kula Prakāśikā.
In later times, the members of that family and lineage began to identify themselves by the name Rāchā Perika.
The word Perika in administration: In royal records, copper-plate inscriptions, stone inscriptions, and other official documents, the word Perika is also found in various forms such as Perika, Perrika, Perka, Peruka, Perike, Perska, etc.